Tools and Equipment

How to Install Rain Gutters

Rain gutters are remarkably beneficial, and keep your home's foundation in good shape. Downspouts and rain gutters carry, and collect rainwater, lessening any possible structural issues, deterioration, landscape erosion, and basement flooding. Without gutters, you could have some severe water-related matters on your hands. In this article, we'll teach you how to install rain gutters accurately while roofing to preserve your house from water damage.

Preparation Before Installing Rain Gutters

Installing rain gutters without any assistance may save you money, but there are a few pitfalls that you should be informed of before installing them yourself.

First, examine the soffit and fascia for signs of rotted wood. Replace or repair the soffit and fascia before you put up your gutters if there is any indication of rotting before moving forward. If this step isn't looked over, your gutters will continue to collect more debris and fill up with rainwater; causing the gutters to fall apart. After thoroughly inspecting, measure the length of where the gutters run and mark the downspout locations. Followed by measuring the height of the downspouts.

Parts and Tools to Install Rain Gutters

After planning and measuring, be sure to gather the right materials, and tools including:

Tools Needed

Extension Ladder

Gutter Crimper

Cordless Drill

Roofing Hatchet

Roofing Knife

File

Materials

Elbows

Downspouts

Gutter

Gutter Brackets

Gutter Sealant

Fascia Board

Soffits

⅓" Hex Head Screws

⅛" Rivets

1 ¼” self-tapping hex head screws

Cut and Join Your Rain Gutters

Once you've gathered all of your tools and materials, you are now ready to begin cutting the back and front surfaces of the gutter with tin snips. If you don't have tip snips, you can use a roofing hatchet, and a roofing knife. Once you cut all of the gutters, smooth out the razor-sharp edges with a file. Don't forget to have outlet holes for where the downspout tubes will go. For safety precautions, we recommend combining the gutters, and downspouts while on the ground.

For proper directions, please review the following steps

Cut a 2-inch notch in the front lip of the gutter to join the outside or inside corner piece

Cut a 4-inch long notch to splice together, and overlap any gutter sections

Apply gutter sealant along the corners

Then hook the front lip of the corner, covering the notched segment, and fasten it over the gutter

Hanging The Rain Gutter

After cutting and adjoining each rain gutter, you're fully prepared to install rain gutters on your home. Start off by using a chalk line along the roofline as a reference to level off the gutter. Keep in mind when hanging it up with any roof brackets, to mount them at approximately every 18 to 24-inches. Then attach any gutter end caps to the fascia board. You'll need your drill, and hex head screws to keep them stabilized. When connecting any downspouts add an elbow at the top, and bottom. Then attach some more gutter tubes to keep any water away from the foundation of the house. Every elbow, and hole that connects gutter materials must have sealant applied to prevent any leaks from occurring. Then you're all set!

AJC is more than just a tool distributor, we manufacture, patent, and design, high-quality roofing tools. AJC will provide you with the right tools to install fix, and repair gutters without the hassle of going from shop-to-shop. Visit our online catalog now!